Electron emission material, method of manufacturing the same, and electron emission element including the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an electron emission material that is excellent in electron emission characteristics, a method of manufacturing the same, as well as an electron emission element. The method is a method of manufacturing an electron emission material including a carbon material obtained by baking a polymer film. In the method, a polyamic acid solution is prepared in which at least one metallic compound selected from a metal oxide and a metal carbonate is dispersed; the polyamic acid solution thus prepared is formed into a film and then is imidized to form a polyimide film including the metallic compound; and then the polyimide film thus formed is baked to form the carbon material. The electron emission material is formed so that it includes a carbon material, a protrusion having a concavity in its surface is formed at the surface of the carbon material, and the protrusion includes a metallic element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electron emission material includinga carbon material and a method of manufacturing the same. The presentinvention also relates to an electron emission element including theelectron emission material used therein.

2. Description of the Related Art

Materials including a carbon material such as amorphous carbon, diamond,carbon nanotube (CNT), fullerene, etc. have been developed actively aselectron emission materials that are used for electron sources ofvarious devices such as displays, etc. For instance, the CNT isexcellent in electroconductivity and heat resistance. Furthermore, asdescribed in “Carbon Nanotube, Challenge to Nanodevice, p175-184,published by Kagaku-Dojin Publishing Company. INC (January 2001)”, sincethe CNT has a high aspect ratio (length/diameter) and allows an electricfield to be concentrated, it is excellent in electron emissioncharacteristics. Hence, it is expected to be applied to electron sourcesthat can be driven at a lower voltage. The CNT, however, has problems inmanufacturing cost, mass-productivity, stability in the case oflong-term use, etc.

On the other hand, the improvement in electron emission characteristicshas been attempted not by utilizing the peculiar shape of the materialas in the case of the CNT but by changing the properties of the surfaceof the material. For example, H10(1998)-188778A/JP discloses a techniqueof improving the electron emission characteristics by disposing ametallic element having a small work function on the surface of a carbonmaterial through oxygen to change the electronic state of the surface.The carbon material disclosed in H10(1998)-188778A/JP is a particleproduced by forming a carbon body using a fine particle of a metalcatalyst as a nucleus and then allowing the surface of the carbon bodythus formed to terminate with an alkali metal element or an alkalineearth metal element. In such a material, since the metallic fineparticle has a large size and thus has a small interaction with carbon,it is difficult to change the electronic state of the carbon surfacesatisfactorily. Accordingly, it is difficult for the material to providea high emission current density as an electron source.

Furthermore, for instance, 2003-53167A/JP discloses a film-like carbonmaterial containing a metallic element (a carbon film containing ametallic element). The carbon material disclosed in 2003-53167A/JP isformed by introducing a metallic element into a solution of organicpolymer, forming a polymer film, and then baking the polymer film thusformed. The metallic element to be introduced is an element that belongsto Group 8 to Group 12 (Group of the element is indicated according tothe prescription of IUPAC(1989) in the present specification) such asFe, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, etc. The baking temperature is inthe range of 500° C. to 1200° C. Such a carbon material is excellent ingas separation characteristics. However, the metallic elements of Group8 to Group 12 conceivably do not contribute to the change in theelectronic state of the carbon material surface that depends on theinteraction with carbon. Accordingly, in the case of the carbon materialdisclosed in 2003-53167A/JP, it is difficult to improve the electronemission characteristics.

In addition, H05(1993)-170536A/JP and 2002-274827A/JP, which aredocuments relating to the present application, disclose techniques ofadding a metallic compound to a polyamic acid. In these documents,however, the metallic compound to be added to a polyamic acid is achloride (Lines 39 to 47, Column 20 of H05(1993)-170536A/JP) and aninorganic phosphate compound (Line 48, Column 4 to Line 8, Column 5 of2002-274827A/JP). It is difficult for such metallic compounds tosatisfactorily change the electronic state of the carbon material thatdepends on the interaction with carbon and thus to improve the electronemission characteristics. Furthermore, these documents refer to noelectron emission material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method of manufacturing an electron emission material of the presentinvention is a method of manufacturing an electron emission materialincluding a carbon material obtained by baking a polymer film. In themanufacturing method, a polyamic acid solution is prepared in which atleast one metallic compound selected from a metal oxide and a metalcarbonate is dispersed; the polyamic acid solution is formed into a filmand it then is imidized to form a polyimide film including the metalliccompound; and the polyimide film is baked to form the carbon material.

In the manufacturing method of the present invention, the metalliccompound is preferably a compound of at least one element selected froman alkali metal element and an alkaline earth metal element, and morepreferably a compound of at least one element selected from Ca, Sr, Ba,Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs.

In the manufacturing method of the present invention, the metalliccompound may be particulate. In this case, it is preferable that themetallic compound have a mean particle size in the range of 10 nm to 100μm.

In the manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferablethat the polyimide film be baked at a temperature of 1200° C. to 3000°C.

The electron emission material of the present invention is an electronemission material including a carbon material. In the electron emissionmaterial, a protrusion having a concavity in its surface is formed atthe surface of the carbon material, and the protrusion contains ametallic element.

The electron emission material of the present invention has an emissioncurrent density of at least 1×10⁻⁴ A/cm², preferably at least 5×10⁻⁴A/cm², and more preferably at least 7.2×10⁻⁴A/cm².

In the electron emission material of the present invention, theprotrusion has a substantially circular shape or a substantiallyelliptical shape when viewed from the direction perpendicular to thesurface of the carbon material, and the concavity may be formed at asubstantial center of the protrusion when viewed from the direction.

In the electron emission material of the present invention, it ispreferable that the concavity have a depth that is less than the heightof the protrusion.

In the electron emission material of the present invention, the carbonmaterial may be a material obtained by baking a polymer film. In thiscase, it is preferable that the polymer film be a polyimide film.

In the electron emission material of the present invention, the metallicelement is preferably at least one selected from an alkali metal elementand an alkaline earth metal element, and more preferably at least oneselected from Ca, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs.

In the electron emission material of the present invention, it ispreferable that the protrusion have a mean diameter in the range of 10nm to 200 nm when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surfaceof the carbon material.

In the electron emission material of the present invention, it ispreferable that the carbon material include a graphite structure.

In the electron emission material of the present invention, it ispreferable that the carbon material include a void therein and themetallic element additionally be disposed on the surface of the carbonmaterial facing the void.

The electron emission element of the present invention is an electronemission element including: an electron emission layer containing anelectron emission material; and an electrode that is disposed so as toface the electron emission layer and that allows a potential differenceto be generated between the electron emission layer and itself. In theelectron emission element, the electron emission material includes acarbon material, a protrusion having a concavity in its surface isformed at the surface of the carbon material, and the protrusionincludes a metallic element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the electron emissionmaterial according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the electron emission material shownin FIG. 1, which is viewed from another angle.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing another example of the electronemission material according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing still another example of the electronemission material according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing yet another example of the electronemission material according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a schematic view showing a step of an example of the methodof manufacturing an electron emission material according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic view showing a step of the example of the methodof manufacturing an electron emission material according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6C is a schematic view showing a step of the example of the methodof manufacturing an electron emission material according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of the electron emissionelement according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing another example of the electronemission element according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a photograph showing the configuration of the surface ofReference Example Sample, which was observed in an example.

FIG. 10 is a photograph showing an example of the configuration of thesurface of the electron emission material according to the presentinvention, which was observed in an example.

FIG. 11 is a photograph showing the configuration of the surface ofComparative Example Sample, which was observed in an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with referenceto the drawings. In the following descriptions, identical members may beindicated with identical marks and the same descriptions may not berepeated.

First, the electron emission material of the present invention isdescribed.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the electron emission material according tothe present invention. The electron emission material 1 shown in FIG. 1includes a film-like carbon material 2 obtained by baking a polymer film(for instance, a polyimide film). Protrusions 4 which have a concavity 3in its surface are formed at the surface of the carbon material 2. Theprotrusions 4 are provided with a metallic element 5 disposed therein.It also can be said that the carbon material 2 is a carbon film having,at its surface, protrusion structures that have the metallic element 5disposed therein and a concavity in a part thereof. The electronemission material of the present invention can be obtained by, forinstance, the method of manufacturing an electron emission material ofthe present invention to be described later.

With such a configuration, when applied to the electron emissionmaterial 1, an electric field can be concentrated on the protrusions 4formed at the surface of the carbon material 2. The disposition of themetallic elements 5 in the protrusions 4 that are present at the surfaceof the carbon material 2 allows the electronic state of the surface ofthe carbon material 2 to be varied efficiently. Accordingly, theelectron emission material 1 can be obtained that is excellent inelectron emission characteristics (for instance, that can emit electronsupon application of a lower voltage than that required conventionallyand/or has an increased emission current density).

The shape of the protrusions 4 is not particularly limited. Forinstance, when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface ofthe carbon material 2, they may be of a substantially circular shape, asubstantially elliptical shape, a substantially polygonal shape, anindeterminate shape, etc, but generally are of a substantially circularshape or a substantially elliptical shape. The concavity 3 may bepresent in any part of the surface of the protrusion 4. The number ofthe concavity 3 to be provided for the protrusion 4 also is notparticularly limited. In the carbon material 2 shown in FIG. 1, asadditionally shown in FIG. 2, protrusions 4 are formed that are of asubstantially circular shape and have the concavity 3 at its substantialcenter (that also can be referred to as its top). In other words, italso can be said that the protrusion 4 shown in FIG. 2 is a protrusionof a substantial circular-arc shape whose part encircled by an arc isconcave. FIG. 2 is a drawing of the carbon material 2 shown in FIG. 1,which is viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface thereof

The size of the protrusion 4 is not particularly limited. For instance,when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the surface of thecarbon material 2, it may have a mean diameter (indicated with “R” inFIG. 2) in the range of 10 nm to 200 nm, preferably in the range of 10nm to 100 nm. The shape, size, etc. of the concavity 3 provided for theprotrusion 4 are not particularly limited. The depth of the concavity 3generally is less than the height of the protrusion 4.

Preferably, the surface of the carbon material 2 includes about 10⁷ to10⁹ pieces of protrusions 4 formed in an area of 1 mm².

Preferably, the electron emission material 1 has an emission currentdensity of at least 1×10⁻⁴ A/cm², preferably at least 5×10⁻⁴ A/cm², andmore preferably at least 7.2×10⁻⁴ A/cm².

The type of the metallic element 5 is not particularly limited. It,however, is preferably at least one selected from an alkali metalelement and an alkaline earth metal element, and more preferably atleast one selected from Ca(calcium), Sr(strontium), Ba(barium),Li(lithium), Na(sodium), K(potassium), Rb(rubidium), and Cs(cesium). Thedisposition of such an element allows the electronic state of thesurface of the carbon material 2 to be varied more efficiently andreliably.

The metallic element 5 may be disposed in any part of the protrusion 4.Furthermore, at least some of the protrusions 4 may be provided with themetallic element 5 disposed therein. The specific manner of thedisposition thereof is not particularly limited. For instance, themetallic element 5 may adsorb to the carbon structure of the protrusion4, or the carbon structure and the metallic element 5 may be bondedchemically to each other. In addition, another element such as oxygenmay be present between the carbon structure and the metallic element 5.In the electron emission material of the present invention, the metallicelement 5 may be disposed not only in the protrusions 4 but also insidethe carbon material 2 additionally.

The amount of the metallic element 5 contained in the carbon material 2may be, for instance, in the range of 0.01 wt.% to 10 wt.%, preferablyin the range of 0.05 wt.% to 5 wt.%.

The shape of the carbon material 2 is not particularly limited. It maybe a film-like carbon material (a carbon film) as shown in FIG. 1 or aparticulate carbon material. Similarly in the particulate carbonmaterial 2, an emission current density that an electron source isrequired to provide can be obtained certainly through the effect ofconcentration of the electric field to be provided by the protrusion 4and the variation in electronic state to be caused by the disposition ofthe metallic element 5 in the protrusion 4. The particulate carbonmaterial 2 can be obtained by, for instance, pulverizing the film-likecarbon material 2 obtained by baking a polymer film.

The configuration of the carbon material 2 is not particularly limited.It may be amorphous (for instance, amorphous carbon) or a carbonmaterial 2 including crystal structures (for example, graphitestructures 6 that are a type of two-dimensionally oriented structure) asshown in FIG. 3. When it includes crystal structures, the crystalstructures may be present in at least a partial region of the carbonmaterial 2. In the case of the carbon material 2 including the graphitestructures 6, it may include at least two layers of graphene. The sizeof the crystal structures is not limited. The carbon material 2 mayinclude crystal structures on the order of several nanometers (forinstance, amorphous carbon) or those on the order of several hundrednanometers (for example, highly oriented graphite). The configuration ofthe carbon material 2 can be controlled by changing the temperature atwhich the polymer film is baked, for example.

It is preferable that the carbon material 2 include the graphitestructures 6 as the crystal structures. This allows the electronemission material to have better electron emission characteristics andto be excellent in thermal conductivity and electroconductivity. Thecarbon material 2 shown in FIG. 3 includes the graphite structures 6therein but may include the graphite structures 6 in the protrusions 4.

When the carbon material 2 includes the graphite structures 6, as shownin FIG. 4, it is preferable that metallic elements 5 additionally bedisposed at the periphery of graphite structure 6. In this case, theelectronic state of the surface of the carbon material 2 can be variedfurther efficiently. Such a carbon material 2 can be formed by, forinstance, controlling the temperature at which the polymer film isbaked.

Preferably, the carbon material 2 includes voids 7 therein and metallicelements 5 additionally are disposed on the surfaces of the carbonmaterial 2 facing the voids 7 as shown in FIG. 5. In this case, theelectronic state of the surface of the carbon material 2 can be variedfurther efficiently. The voids 7 can be formed by, for instance,controlling the temperature at which the polymer film is baked.

In the case of the film-like carbon material 2, the carbon material 2has a thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 500 μm, for example.

Now, the description is directed to the method of manufacturing anelectron emission material according to the present invention.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show an example of the method of manufacturing anelectron emission material according to the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, a polyimide film 12 is formed that containsat least one type of metallic compound 11 selected from a metal oxideand a metal carbonate.

The polyimide film 12 containing the metallic compound 11 can be formedby, for example, dispersing the metallic compound 11 in a polyamic acidsolution (i.e. preparing a polyamic acid solution including the metalliccompound 11 dispersed therein), forming the polyamic acid solution thusprepared into a film, and then imidizing it.

A general method can be used for the preparation of the polyamic acidsolution containing the metallic compound 11 dispersed therein. Inaddition, a general method can be used for the method of forming thepolyamic acid solution into a film and imidizing it. For instance, thepolyimide film can be formed by forming a polyamic acid film from apolyamic acid solution and then heat-treating the polyamic acid filmthus formed. This heat treatment can be carried out at a temperature inthe range of 200° C. to 350° C. The heat treatment allows the polyamicacid to be dehydrated and polymerized and thereby to be changed intopolyimide. Since the specific methods of the film formation and the heattreatment are not particularly limited, general methods can be used.

Next, the polyimide film 12 thus formed is baked. Conceivably, thefollowing phenomena are developed in the process of baking. First, asshown in FIG. 6B, as high molecules included in the polyimide film 12are carbonized, the metallic compound 11 diffuse inside the polyimidefilm 12 and then a large part thereof aggregates in the vicinity of thesurface of the film. Subsequently, with the progress of baking, a partof the metallic compound 11 leaves to the outside while formingprotrusions 4 at the surface of the film. Conceivably, since a largepart of the metallic compound 11 present in the vicinity of the filmsurface are reduced through the baking, metallic elements 5 leave mainlyin the state of a single substance. Thus concavities 3 are formed, inthe surfaces of the protrusions 4, as traces of the metallic elements 5(or the metallic compound 11) that have left there. On the other hand,the metallic elements 5 that have not left remain in the protrusions 4.The reason is not clear but in order to form the protrusions 4 and theconcavities 3 and to improve the electron emission characteristics bythe formation thereof, it is important that the metallic compound 11 isan oxide or a carbonate. Thus the electron emission material 1 of thepresent invention can be obtained. In this connection, as shown in FIG.6C, a part of the metallic compound 11 may remain inside the carbonmaterial 2 in the electron emission material 1 of the present invention.

The metallic compound 11 is preferably a compound (an oxide and/or acarbonate) of at least one element selected from an alkali metal elementand an alkaline earth metal element, and more preferably a compound (anoxide and/or a carbonate) of at least one element selected from Ca, Sr,Ba, Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs.

The shape of the metallic compound 11 is not particularly limited. Itmay be particulate, for instance. The average particle size of aparticulate metallic compound 11 may be, for instance, in the range of10 nm to 100 μm, more preferably in the range of 10 nm to 5 μm.

The amount of the metallic compound 11 contained in the polyimide film12 is, for instance, in the range of 0.01 wt.% to 10 wt.%, preferably inthe range of 0.05 wt.% to 5 wt.%.

The baking of the polyimide film 12 may be carried out by placing thepolyimide film 12 in a furnace whose inside has been maintained at abaking temperature, for a predetermined period of time. Preferably, thebaking is carried out in an inert gas (for instance, a rare gas and/ornitrogen) atmosphere.

The baking of the polyimide film 12 may be carried out at a temperatureof, for instance, 1200° C. to 3000° C. When an electron emissionmaterial 1 including developed graphite structures such as highlyoriented graphite is required, it is preferable that the baking becarried out at a higher temperature (for instance, 2000° C. to 3000°C.).

The baking of the polyimide film 12 may be carried out successively inat least two different temperature ranges. For instance, preliminarybaking may be carried out before the baking. In that case, the carbonmaterial 2 may be formed as follows. That is, after the preliminarybaking is carried out at a temperature of 1200° C. or lower to allow thecarbonization reaction and the thermal decomposition of polyimide toprogress, the baking is carried out at a temperature of at least 1200°C. to reduce the metallic compound 11 and to allow the carbonizationreaction to progress further.

Next, the electron emission element of the present invention isdescribed.

An electron emission element of the present invention is provided withan electron emission layer including an electron emission material ofthe present invention described above and an electrode that is disposedso as to face the electron emission layer and that produces a potentialdifference between the electron emission layer and itself. The electronemission element of the present invention includes an electron emissionmaterial that is excellent in electron emission characteristics.Accordingly, the electron emission element can emit electrons, forinstance, upon application of a lower voltage. Thus, an electronemission element can be obtained that is excellent in electron emissioncharacteristics (for example, that is allowed to be of a lower powerconsumption type).

FIG. 7 shows an example of the electron emission element of the presentinvention. In the electron emission element 21 shown in FIG. 7, anemitter (an electron emission layer) 22 including an electron emissionmaterial of the present invention is formed on a substrate 23 and ananode 24 is disposed so as to face the emitter 22. While the spacebetween the emitter 22 and the anode 24 is kept a vacuum atmosphere, apotential difference is produced between the emitter 22 and the anode24, with the anode 24 being positive. Thus, electrons 31 can be emittedfrom the emitter 22.

FIG. 8 shows another example of the electron emission element of thepresent invention. In the electron emission element 21 shown in FIG. 8,an emitter (an electron emission layer) 22 including an electronemission material of the present invention is formed above a substrate23, with a conductive layer 25 being interposed therebetween, and ananode 24 is disposed so as to face the emitter 22. In addition, a gateinsulating film 26 and a gate electrode 27 are disposed on the emitter22, and the conductive layer 25, the gate electrode 27, and the anode 24are connected electrically to each other through a circuit 28. While thespace between the emitter 22 and the anode 24 is kept a vacuumatmosphere, a voltage is applied, with the anode 24 being positive,between the emitter 22 and the anode 24 using the circuit 28. Thus,electrons can be emitted from the emitter 22. In this stage, the amountof electrons to be emitted from the emitter 22 (i.e. the emissioncurrent density) can be controlled through the control of the electricalpotential of the gate electrode 27 with respect to the emitter 22. Theelectron emission elements shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are elements thatgenerally are referred to as field emission cold cathodes. The exampleshown in FIG. 7 and the example shown in FIG. 8 are referred to as adiode structure and a triode structure, respectively. In this manner,the electron emission material of the present invention can be usedregardless of the structure of the electron emission element.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present invention is described further in detail usingexamples. However, the present invention is not limited to the examplesdescribed below.

In the examples, a carbon film was formed by baking a polyimide filmcontaining a metallic compound and then the configuration of the surfaceof the carbon film thus formed was evaluated. Furthermore, an electronemission element was produced using the carbon film formed in the aboveas an electron emission material and then the emission current densityobtained therefrom was evaluated.

In the examples, “Example Sample” denotes an electron emission materialthat has protrusions and concavities at its surface as well as improvedelectron emission characteristics. On the other hand, “Reference ExampleSample” denotes an electron emission material that has protrusions andconcavities at its surface but has not been improved in electronemission characteristics. Moreover, “Comparative Example Sample” denotesan electron emission material that has no protrusions and concavities atits surface and has not been improved in electron emissioncharacteristics.

First, the methods of producing the respective carbon film samples thatwere evaluated in the examples are described.

SAMPLE A (Reference Example Sample)

In a nitrogen gas atmosphere, 120 ml of dimethylacetamide were added to5 g of bis(4-aminophenyl)ether, which then was stirred to be a uniformsolution. Subsequently, 5.45 g of pyromellitic dianhydride further wereadded to the solution thus produced. This was stirred for about threehours and thereby a polyamic acid was synthesized.

Subsequently, 6.27 g of the solution containing the synthesized polyamicacid were taken, and silver nitrate (AgNO³) was added thereto so as toaccount for 10.3 wt.% of the whole. This then was subjected toball-milling for 12 hours and thus a polyamic acid solution was producedthat contained silver nitrate dissolved therein uniformly.

Next, the polyamic acid solution thus produced was spread over alaboratory dish and a polyamic acid film including silver nitrateparticles was formed. The film thus formed was dried in the air for onehour. Thereafter, the pressure of the atmosphere was reduced graduallyusing a vacuum pump, so that the film was in a reduced-pressureatmosphere, and thereby the removal of the solvent was promoted (10hours in total). Subsequently, it was heat-treated in a 100° C. vacuumatmosphere for one hour using a vacuum oven. Thus, a polyamic acid filmwas produced.

Next, after the polyamic acid film thus produced was removed from thelaboratory dish, it was fixed to a metallic frame so as not to deform.Subsequently, the polyamic acid film was heat-treated in a 300° C. airatmosphere for two hours using an oven. Thus a polyimide film wasproduced. Conceivably, this heat treatment allowed the polyamic acid tobe dehydrated and polymerized and thereby to be imidized. The thicknessof the polyimide film thus produced was measured using a micrometer andwas about 50 μm. Since the color of the polyimide film had metallicluster, it is conceived that the silver nitrate changed to silver.

Next, the polyimide film thus produced was baked using an electricfurnace. Specifically, first, in an argon gas atmosphere, thetemperature of the polyimide film was raised to 1200° C. (at a heatingrate of 3 ° C./minute) and then it was maintained at 1200° C. for onehour. Subsequently, it was cooled to room temperature (at a cooling rateof 5 ° C./minute). Thus a carbon film was obtained. Conceivably, withthe baking, polyimide was decomposed thermally and thereby nitrogen,oxygen, and hydrogen left, which resulted in the formation of the carbonfilm.

The carbon film thus obtained had a thickness of about 45 μm. Thesurface of the carbon film was observed using a scanning electronmicroscope (SEM). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, it was observed thata plurality of protrusions had been formed at the surface of the carbonfilm, and concavities were observed in many of the protrusions. Theamount of silver contained in the carbon film was measured using an ICPemission spectrometry and was 0.5 wt.%. The surface of the carbon filmwas analyzed using an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). As aresult, it was observed that silver had been distributed uniformly atthe surface.

Sample 1 (Example Sample)

A polyimide film containing barium carbonate (BaCO₃) was produced in thesame manner as in the case of Sample A. However, particulate bariumcarbonate (with a mean particle size of 30 μm) was used instead of thesilver nitrate employed in Sample A. The barium carbonate was added tothe solution containing polyamic acid so as to account for 3 wt.% of thewhole. The polyimide film thus produced had a thickness of about 60 μm.It was observed with an optical microscope. As a result, it was observedthat particles to be presumed to be barium carbonate had disperseduniformly in the polyimide film.

Next, the polyimide film thus produced was baked in the same manner asin the case of Sample A and thereby a carbon film was obtained. Thecarbon film thus obtained had a thickness of about 50 μm. The surface ofthe carbon film was observed using the SEM. As a result, it was observedthat countless protrusions whose mean diameter was in the range of about10 nm to 30 nm had been formed at the film surface. Furthermore, it wasobserved that many of the protrusions each had a concavity at itssubstantial center (see FIG. 10). The amount of barium contained in thecarbon film was measured using the ICP emission spectrometry and was 0.2wt.%. The surface of the carbon film was analyzed using the EDX. As aresult, the distribution of barium was observed, which seemed tocorrespond to the distribution of the protrusions. Since thedistribution of oxygen is not observed in the places where barium isdistributed, it is conceived that barium is present in the state of asimple substance.

Sample 2 (Example Sample)

A polyimide film containing cesium oxide (Cs₂O) was produced in the samemanner as in the case of Sample A. However, cesium oxide particles (witha mean particle size of 3 μm) were used instead of the silver nitrateemployed in Sample A. The cesium oxide particles were added to thesolution containing polyamic acid so as to account for 3 wt.% of thewhole. The polyimide film thus produced had a thickness of about 150 μm.It was observed with the optical microscope. As a result, it wasobserved that cesium oxide particles had dispersed uniformly in thepolyimide film.

Next, the polyimide film thus produced was baked in the same manner asin the case of Sample A and thereby a carbon film was obtained. Thecarbon film thus obtained had a thickness of about 120 μm. The surfaceof the carbon film was observed using the SEM. As a result, it wasobserved that countless protrusions whose mean diameter was in the rangeof about 50 nm to 100 nm were formed at the surface. Furthermore, acrater-like concavity was observed in the surfaces of many of theprotrusions. The amount of cesium contained in the carbon film wasmeasured using the ICP emission spectrometry and was 0.3 wt.%. Thesurface of the carbon film was analyzed using the EDX. As a result, thedistribution of cesium was observed, which seemed to correspond to thedistribution of the protrusions. Cesium was present in the state of asimple substance.

Sample B (Comparative Example Sample)

A polyimide film was produced in the same manner as in the case ofSample A using no metallic compound. The polyimide film thus producedhad a thickness of about 60 μm.

Next, the polyimide film thus produced was baked in the same manner asin the case of Sample A and thereby a carbon film (with a thickness ofabout 40 μm) was obtained. The surface of the carbon film was observedusing the SEM. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, pits were observed,which seemed to have been formed when elements other than carbon hadbeen discharged as gas from the inside of the polyimide film whilepolyimide had been carbonized, but few protrusions were observed.

Sample C (Comparative Example Sample)

A polyimide film containing calcium hydrogenphosphate (CaHPO₄) wasproduced in the same manner as in the case of Sample A. However, powderycalcium hydrogenphosphate was used instead of the silver nitrateemployed in Sample A. The calcium hydrogenphosphate was added to thesolution containing polyamic acid so as to account for 0.15 wt.% of thewhole. The polyimide film thus produced had a thickness of about 120 μm.It was observed with the optical microscope. As a result, it wasobserved that particles that were presumed to be calciumhydrogenphosphate had dispersed uniformly in the polyimide film.

Next, the polyimide film thus produced was baked in the same manner asin the case of Sample A and thereby a carbon film was obtained. Thecarbon film thus obtained had a thickness of about 100 μm. The surfaceof the carbon film was observed using the SEM. As a result, a pluralityof pits were observed at the surface but no protrusions formed thereatwere observed. The amount of calcium contained in the carbon film wasmeasured using the ICP emission spectrometry but no calcium wasdetected.

Sample 3 (Example Sample)

A polyimide film containing barium oxide (BaO) was produced in the samemanner as in the case of Sample A. However, barium oxide particles (witha mean particle size of 1 μm) were used instead of the silver nitrateemployed in Sample A. The barium oxide particles were added to thesolution containing polyamic acid so as to account for 1 wt.% of thewhole. The polyimide film thus produced had a thickness of about 60 μm.It was observed with the optical microscope. As a result, it wasobserved that barium oxide particles had dispersed uniformly in thepolyimide film.

Next, the polyimide film thus produced was baked using an electricfurnace. Specifically, first, in an argon gas atmosphere, thetemperature of the polyimide film was raised to 1200° C. (at a heatingrate of 3° C./minute) and then it was maintained at 1200° C. for threehours (Preliminary Baking). Subsequently, it was cooled to roomtemperature (at a cooling rate of 5 ° C./minute). Then the weight of thecarbon film thus produced was measured and was about 50 wt.% to 60 wt.%of that of the polyimide film measured before the preliminary baking.Next, in an argon gas atmosphere, the temperature of the carbon film wasraised to 2800° C. (at a heating rate of 5° C./minute until it reached1200° C. and at a heating rate of 3° C./minute thereafter) and then itwas maintained at 2800° C. for two hours (Main Baking). Subsequently, itwas cooled to room temperature (at a cooling rate of 10 ° C./minuteuntil the temperature reached 2200° C. and at a cooling rate of 20 °C./minute thereafter). Thus a carbon film was obtained.

The carbon film obtained after the main baking had a thickness of about60 μm. The surface of the carbon film was observed using the SEM. As aresult, it was observed that countless protrusions whose mean diameterwas in the range of about 20 nm to 50 nm had been formed. Furthermore,it was observed that many of the protrusions each had a concavity in itssurface. Subsequently, the cross section of the carbon film wasobserved. Thereby it was observed that graphite structures had beenformed in which graphenes were folded and stacked. In addition,countless voids had been present inside the carbon film and the size ofthe voids was in the range of about 50 nm to 500 nm.

The amount of barium contained in the carbon film was measured using theICP emission spectrometry after the main baking and was 0.2 wt.%. Thesurface of the carbon film was analyzed using the EDX after the mainbaking. As a result, the distribution of barium was observed, whichseemed to correspond to the distribution of the protrusions. The bariumwas present in the state of a simple substance. The cross section of thecarbon film was mapped using an Auger electron spectroscopy. Thereby thepresence of barium was observed on the surfaces of the voids locatedinside the carbon film.

Next, the configuration of the carbon film was evaluated using an X-raydiffractometry (XRD) after the main baking. As a result, peaks thatreflect the (002) plane of graphite as well as higher order peaksthereof were observed. Since the spacing between graphite structuresthat had been determined by the XRD was 0.3358 nm, it was proved thatthe similar graphite structures to those obtained when the carbon filmwas composed of carbon alone were formed even when the carbon filmcontained barium.

Sample 4 (Example Sample)

A polyimide film containing cesium carbonate (Cs₂CO₃) was produced inthe same manner as in the case of Sample A. However, cesium carbonateparticles (with a mean particle size of 3 μm) were used instead of thesilver nitrate employed in Sample A. The cesium carbonate particles wereadded to the solution containing polyamic acid so as to account for 3wt.% of the whole. The polyimide film thus produced had a thickness ofabout 70 μm. It was observed with the optical microscope. As a result,it was observed that cesium carbonate particles had dispersed uniformlyin the polyimide film.

Next, the preliminary baking and the main baking were carried out in thesame manner as in the case of Sample 3 and thereby a carbon film wasobtained. The carbon film had a thickness of about 80 μm after the mainbaking. The surface of the carbon film was observed using the SEM afterthe main baking. As a result, it was observed that countless protrusionswhose mean diameter was in the range of about 30 nm to 60 nm had beenformed. Furthermore, it was observed that many of the protrusions eachhad been provided with a concavity. Subsequently, the cross section ofthe carbon film was observed. Thereby it was observed that graphitestructures in which graphenes were folded and stacked and voids had beenformed.

The amount of cesium contained in the carbon film was measured using theICP emission spectrometry after the main baking and was 0.3 wt.%. Thesurface of the carbon film was analyzed using the EDX after the mainbaking. As a result, the distribution of cesium was observed, whichseemed to correspond to the distribution of the protrusions. The cesiumwas present in the state of a simple substance. The cross section of thecarbon film was mapped using the Auger electron spectroscopy. Therebythe presence of cesium was observed on the surfaces of the voids locatedinside the carbon film. The configuration of the carbon film wasevaluated using the X-ray diffractometry (XRD) after the main baking andthereby the same results as in Sample 3 were obtained.

Using the respective samples prepared as described above (ExampleSamples 1 to 4, Reference Example Sample A, and Comparative ExampleSamples B to C), electron emission elements like the one shown in FIG. 7were produced and then the electron emission characteristics thereofwere evaluated.

First, each sample (the carbon film) shaped into a size of 5 mm×5 mm wasdisposed as an emitter 22 on a stainless steel substrate while an anode24 formed of ITO (indium tin oxide) was disposed so as to face theemitter 22. The spacing between the emitter 22 and the anode 24 was setat 1 mm. Subsequently, the space between the emitter 22 and the anode 24was subjected to pressure reduction to have a vacuum degree of 5×10⁻⁷Torr. A voltage of 3 kV (an electric field strength of 3 kV/mm; withpotential being positive on the anode 24 side) then was applied betweenthe emitter 22 and the anode 24 and thereby the emission current densitywas measured. The results of the measurement of the emission currentdensity are shown in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 Metallic Amount of MetallicMetallic Element Element contained Emission Compound contained in inCarbon Film Current contained in Carbon Film after Baking Density SamplePolyimide Film after Baking (wt. %) (A/cm²) 1 BaCO₃ Ba 0.2 7.2 × 10⁻⁴ 2Cs₂O Cs 0.3 8.4 × 10⁻⁴ 3 BaO Ba 0.3 7.2 × 10⁻⁴ 4 Cs₂CO₃ Cs 0.2 8.4 ×10⁻⁴ A AgNO₃ Ag 0.5 6.2 × 10⁻⁵ (R.E.) B — — —   5 × 10⁻⁵ (C.E.) C CaHPO₄Not Detected Not Detected   5 × 10⁻⁵ (C.E.)* R.E. denotes Reference Example, while C.E. denotes ComparativeExample.

As shown in Table 1, as compared to the electron emission elementsformed using Samples A to C that are Reference Example and ComparativeExamples, the electron emission elements formed using Example Samples 1to 4 had improved emission current densities.

The same results were obtained in the case where besides Cs and Ba, anoxide or a carbonate of at least one element selected from Ca, Sr, Rb,Ca, K, Na, and Li was used as the metallic compound.

The same results also were obtained when the mean particle size of themetallic compound particles was varied in the range of 10 nm to 100 μm.

As described above, the present invention can provide an electronemission material that is excellent in electron emission characteristicsand a method of manufacturing the same. Furthermore, the presentinvention can provide an electron emission element having betterelectron emission characteristics than those of conventional one. Theelectron emission element of the present invention is not particularlylimited. It is applicable to various electron devices such as, forexample, displays such as an FED (a field emission display), cathode raytubes, emitters, light sources, electron guns, etc.

Conventionally, with respect to the electron emission element, thedevelopment of a spindt-type electron emission element in which highmelting metal such as silicon, molybdenum, etc. is used has beenprogressing. The electron emission material of the present invention canbe used instead of such high melting metal.

The present invention is applicable to other embodiments as long as theydo not depart from the intention and essential characteristics thereofThe embodiments disclosed in this specification are to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the presentinvention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

1-6. (canceled)
 7. An electron emission material comprising a carbonmaterial, wherein a protrusion having a concavity in its surface isformed at a surface of the carbon material, and the protrusion containsa metallic element.
 8. The electron emission material according to claim7, wherein the electron emission material has an emission currentdensity of at least 1×10⁻⁴ A/cm².
 9. The electron emission materialaccording to claim 7, wherein the electron emission material has anemission current density of at least 5×10⁻⁴ A/cm².
 10. The electronemission material according to claim 7, wherein the electron emissionmaterial has an emission current density of at least 7.2×10⁻⁴ A/cm². 11.The electron emission material according to claim 7, wherein theprotrusion has a substantially circular shape or a substantiallyelliptical shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to thesurface of the carbon material; and the concavity is formed at asubstantial center of the protrusion when viewed from the direction. 12.The electron emission material according to claim 7, wherein theconcavity has a depth that is less than the height of the protrusion.13. The electron emission material according to claim 7, wherein theprotrusion has a substantially circular shape or a substantiallyelliptical shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to thesurface of the carbon material; the concavity is formed at a substantialcenter of the protrusion when viewed from the direction: and theconcavity has a depth that is less than the height of the protrusion.14. The electron emission material according to claim 7, wherein thecarbon material is a material obtained by baking a polymer film.
 15. Theelectron emission material according to claim 14, wherein the polymerfilm is a polyimide film.
 16. The electron emission material accordingto claim 7, wherein the metallic element is at least one selected froman alkali metal element and an alkaline earth metal element.
 17. Theelectron emission material according to claim 16, wherein the metallicelement is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr,Ba, Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs.
 18. The electron emission material accordingto claim 7, wherein the protrusion has a mean diameter in a range of 10nm to 200 nm when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surfaceof the carbon material.
 19. The electron emission material according toclaim 7, wherein the carbon material comprises a graphite structure. 20.The electron emission material according to claim 7, wherein the carbonmaterial includes a void therein; and the metallic element additionallyis disposed on a surface of the carbon material facing the void.
 21. Anelectron emission element, comprising: an electron emission layerincluding an electron emission material; and an electrode that isdisposed so as to face the electron emission layer and that allows apotential difference to be generated between the electron emission layerand itself, wherein the electron emission material includes a carbonmaterial, a protrusion having a concavity in its surface is formed at asurface of the carbon material, and the protrusion includes a metallicelement.